Mahé Between Nature Trails and Plantation History
Accommodation in Mahé
Mahé offers nature trails, an ecologically significant wetland, and a historic plantation estate as different areas to explore. When choosing a holiday rental, consider which of these themes you would like to shape your stay: hiking in Morne Seychellois National Park, the history of La Plaine St. André, or the nearby Ste. Anne Marine National Park.
Hiking trails with different points of reference
Morne Seychellois National Park is on Mahé. Its official hiking trails include Copolia, Mare Aux Cochons, Salazie, Trois Frères, Anse Major, Morne Blanc, and Dans Gallas. All official nature trails are open to visitors. Check for current notices before setting out, as trail conditions and access can change.
The Copolia Nature Trail is 1.4 kilometres long and of moderate difficulty. From the trail, the view stretches across Mahé’s east coast to Seychelles International Airport. A 2022 report stated that, by then, more than 117,000 paying visitors who were not Seychelles residents had hiked the trail since 1 August 2020.
The endpoints of the Anse Major Trail provide a clear sense of direction: it leads from Danzil Bel-Ombre to Anse Major Beach. This allows you to compare two hiking options using different details: the Copolia Trail has a stated length and difficulty level, while the Anse Major Trail has a stated start and finish point. Check for current notices here too, as trail conditions can vary.
Nature and history on Mahé
The freshwater marsh of Mare aux Cochons is a Ramsar site of ecological importance. Nearby, but not on Mahé itself, lies Ste. Anne Marine National Park. It comprises six islands and is suitable for snorkelling. This gives you a choice between nature trails on Mahé and a snorkelling area nearby.
La Plaine St. André was established as a plantation estate by the Jorre de St. Jorre family in 1792. The estate includes a museum, a medicinal plant garden, and historic ruins. The date and surviving features give the site a distinct historical character alongside the island’s nature-focused attractions.
If you are looking for a holiday rental on Mahé, start by choosing a location based on the experiences you want to prioritise. Nature trails, the history of La Plaine St. André, and the nearby marine park are three different themes to consider when planning your trip. This way, your interests can help guide your accommodation search without assuming that you need any particular amenities or location.
More Seychelles island profiles
The Seychelles as a whole also offers distinctive nature and cultural experiences on other islands. On La Digue, the Veuve Special Reserve covers 21 hectares and forms part of a 200-hectare plateau on the western side of the island. On Praslin, the 19.5-hectare Vallée de Mai is one of the smallest natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. It is also the only area in the Seychelles where all six species occur together.
Curieuse offers a different landscape and historical connection: a raised boardwalk runs through the swamp, providing access to the mangrove habitat even at high tide. The mangrove swamp borders Baie Laraie. Curieuse was used as a quarantine site for people with leprosy for almost a hundred years. On Moyenne Island in Ste. Anne Marine National Park, there are remains of early settlers’ houses, pirate graves, and a small thatched chapel.
Discover more destinations: Grand Anse Village, Souvenir.
Go to the main travel overview: Grand Anse Mahé.
